Methods and systems associated with a sleeping pillow

ABSTRACT

A sleeping pillow that provides gentle pressure over the scalp and crown of a user&#39;s head, block out light, and muffle sound.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Field of the Disclosure

Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methodsfor a sleeping pillow. More particularly, embodiments relate to apliable sleeping pillow with a cutout and a plurality of layers, whereinthe cutout is configured to be positioned around a user's nose and mouthand the plurality of layers are configured to supply weight to thesleeping pillow.

Background

Many people do not get a necessary amount of sleep at night because theyare light sleepers, have trouble entering restful sleep, sleep inenvironments with noise or light, etc. To block out environmentalimpacts while sleeping, a user may position a conventional pillow overtheir face. Furthermore, due to the weight of conventional pillows, theconventional pillow may not automatically wrap around the user's head tomuffle or limit the amount of noise and light impacting the user'ssleep.

Thus, when sleeping with a conventional pillow, the user is required tophysically hold down the edges of the pillow and wrap the pillow aroundtheir head to block the environmental factors from impacting the user.This causes users to have to sleep in unnatural positions. Furthermore,it may be harder for the user to breathe or be comfortable whilesleeping due to the conventional pillow covering the user's entire face.

Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient methods andsystems sleeping pillows with a cutout for a user's nose and mouth andwith a plurality of layers that are configured to add weight to thepillow to conform around the user's face.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure are related to a sleeping pillow that isconfigured to provide gentle pressure over the scalp and crown of auser's head, block out light, and muffle sound. Embodiments may allow auser to fall asleep faster, while protecting the user's sleep from theirenvironment.

Embodiments may form a pillow that is pliable and able to contour aroundthe shape of a user's head. The pillow may include a concave indentionthat extends from a lower edge of the pillow towards a center of theportion of the pillow, wherein two projections are formed at the sidesof concave indention. The concave indention may be shaped such that theapex of the indention is positioned above a user's nose and thesidewalls of the projections are positioned outside of the user's mouth.The concave indention and the edges of the pillow may be able todynamically change in size based on gravity and the user applying forceto the pillow.

The pillow may include an inner jacket, outer jacket, fill, and pillowcase.

The inner jacket may be formed of a first material, and may beconfigured to create the shape of the pillow. The inner jacket mayinclude an opening that extends across an edge of the inner jacket thatis positioned opposite to that of the concave indention. The opening maybe selectively opened and closed via a clasping member, such as azipper, buttons, Velcro, etc. The first material may be a fabric with agiven thickness and weight that is pliable. In embodiments, the firstmaterial may fold, bend, drape, wrap, etc. due to the force of gravityand/or a user applying force to the inner jacket.

The outer jacket may be formed of a second material, and may beconfigured to conform to the shape of the pillow, wherein the outerjacket may be slightly larger in size then the inner jacket. The outeredges of the outer jacket may be configured to apply downward forces onthe inner jacket and fill to create a light compressive force against auser's face to form a seal, cover, etc. over the user's eyes and ears.The outer jacket may include an opening that extends across an edge ofthe outer jacket that is positioned opposite to that of the concaveindention. The opening may be selectively opened and closed via aclasping member, such as a zipper, buttons, Velcro, etc. In embodiments,the first material may be the same material as the second material, suchas a bamboo jersey jacket. Alternatively, the second material may be adifferent material than the first material, wherein the second materialmay have slightly more weight than the first material.

The fill may be configured to be housed within the pillow. The fill maybe formed of a pliable material, wherein the material is heavy enough toconform around a user's head due to gravitational forces while notapplying substantial forces against the user's head. The fill may becompressed of a third material, such as faux down, synthetic down,synthetic polyester microfiber, down filling, feather pillow etc. thatis formed out of material. However, in other embodiments, the fill maybe created out of other materials.

The pillow case may be configured to be positioned outside of the outerjacket, and encompass the entire pillow. The pillow case may have asmooth front surface and rear surface, the pillow case being configuredto be positioned adjacent to the outer jacket, the pillow case alsobeing configured to cover the outer jacket, the pillow case includes asecond opening positioned on a sidewall of the pillow, wherein thesidewall is positioned adjacent to the lower edge and the first upperedge, the sidewall being shorter in length than the lower edge and thefirst upper edge.

These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciatedand understood when considered in conjunction with the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings. The following description,while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerousspecific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not oflimitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions orrearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and theinvention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions, orrearrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts a view of a sleeping pillow system, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2-5 depicts views of an inner jacket, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of an outer jacket, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of a sleeping pillow system with a pillow case,outer jacket, and inner jacket, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a method for using a sleeping pillow system, according toan embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. Itwill be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art, that thespecific detail need not be employed to practice the presentembodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods havenot been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the presentembodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of sleeping pillow 100, according toan embodiment.

As depicted in FIG. 1, sleeping pillow 100 may include a concaveindentation 110, and arms 120, 122.

Concave indentation 110 may be positioned on a lower edge of sleepingpillow 100.

Concave indentation 110 may include a curved sidewall 112 that extendsfrom an inner surface of arm 120 to an inner surface of arm 122. Curvedsidewall 112 may be a continuous curved surface. In embodiments, a widthof the concave indentation 110 from the inner surface of arm 120 to theinner surface of arm 122 may be at least greater than half the distanceof the lower edge of sleeping pillow 100. Furthermore, a length ofconcave indentation 110 may be less than half the length of sleepingpillow 100. In use, a user 105 may position a ridge of their noseadjacent to apex 114, while concave indentation 110 does not cover theirmouth, and gravitational forces and tension applied to arms 120, 122pulls the sidewalls of sleeping pillow 100 over the ears of the user.

Arms 120, 122 may be positioned on both sides of concave indentation110, wherein arms 120, 122 include convex sidewalls 124. Convexsidewalls 124 may create a continuously curved lower edge of sleepingpillow 100. Arms 120, 122 may be configured to be positioned adjacent tothe cheeks of a user when gravitational tension pulls on the side edgesof sleeping pillow 100. The first arm and the second arm beingsymmetrical in shape;

FIG. 2 depicts a back view of inner jacket 200. FIG. 3 depicts a frontview of inner jacket 200. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict side views of innerjacket 200.

Inner jacket 200 may be formed of a first material and may be configuredto create the shape of sleeping pillow 100, including the concaveindentation 110. In embodiments, the first material may be a fabric witha given elasticity, thickness, and weight that is pliable andexpandable. In embodiments, the pliability and material of inner jacket200 may allow inner jacket 200 to fold, bend, crinkle, confirm to anobject positioned below inner jacket 200 due to gravitational forcesand/or a user applying forces to inner jacket 200

Inner jacket 200 may include a first opening 210, first couplingmechanism 220, and fill (not shown).

First opening 210 may be positioned on an upper edge of inner jacket200, and may be an opening that is selectively opened and closed viafirst coupling mechanism 220. The fill may be inserted and withdrawnfrom a hollow chamber within inner jacket 200 to allow a user to choosethe type of fill, amount of fill, density of the fill within the hollowchamber, etc. First opening 210 may have a first length.

First coupling mechanism 220 may by a device that is configured toselectively open and close first opening 210. First coupling mechanism220 may include a zipper, Velcro, buttons, clasps, etc. The firstcoupling mechanism 220 may be configured to distribute weight on theupper edge of the pillow between the two sides of the sleeping pillow100, at a position that is aligned with opening across a lateral axis ofthe sleeping pillow. As such, first coupling mechanism may not extendacross a majority of longitudinal axis of the sleeping pillow 100.

The fill may be configured to be housed within the pillow. The fill maybe formed of a pliable material, wherein the material is heavy enough toconform to an object positioned underneath inner jacket 200 (i.e. arounda user's head due) to gravitational forces while not applyingsubstantial forces against the user's head. The fill may be compressedof a third material, such as faux down, down filling, feather pillowetc. that is formed out of material. However, in other embodiments, thefill may be created out of other materials. The fill may be comprised onnon-contagious materials that are configured to be independentlypliable. As such, the fill may not be compressed of a unified foam,sheet, plastic, etc.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of outer jacket 600, according to an embodiment.

Outer jacket 600 may be formed of a second material and may beconfigured to correspond to the shape of sleeping pillow 100 and innerjacket 200, including the concave indentation 110. Outer jacket 600 maybe slightly larger than inner jacket 200, such that outer jacket 600 mayencompass and wrap around inner jacket 200 while inner jacket 200 storesthe fill.

Outer jacket 600 may be comprised of a second material. The secondmaterial may be a fabric with a given elasticity, thickness, and weightthat is pliable and expandable, which may be the same material ordifferent material as the first material. The pliability and material ofouter jacket 600 may allow outer jacket 600 to fold, bend, crinkle,confirm to an object positioned below outer jacket 600 due togravitational forces and/or a user applying forces to outer jacket 600.Furthermore, the outer edges of outer jacket 600 may be configured toapply gravitational tension and/or forces to the outer edges of innerjacket 200, which may allow sleeping pillow 100 to further conform tothe object positioned below sleeping pillow 100.

Outer jacket 600 may include a second opening 310, second couplingmechanism 320.

Second opening 610 may be positioned on an upper edge of outer jacket300, and may be aligned with first opening 610. Second opening 610 mayhave a second length, which is longer than the first length. When secondopening 610 is opened, first opening 210 may be accessed through secondopening 610 without removing outer jacket 600.

Second coupling mechanism 620 may by a device that is configured toselectively open and close second opening 610. Second coupling mechanism620 may include a zipper, Velcro, buttons, clasps, etc. In embodiments,second coupling mechanism 620 may be a same type or different type ofcoupling mechanism as first coupling mechanism 210. Second couplingmechanism 620 may be longer in length than that first coupling mechanism610 to better control the weight generated by pillow case 100, whereinfirst coupling mechanism 210 and second coupling mechanism 610 may beconfigured to be aligned with each other when outer jacket 600 ispositioned over inner jacket 200.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of sleeping pillow 100, which may be covered bypillow case 700. In embodiments, pillow case 700 may be configured toencompass outer jacket 300, which may encompass inner jacket 200.

Pillow case 700 may be configured to correspond to the shape of sleepingpillow 100, inner jacket 200, and outer jacket 600, including theconcave indentation 110 that is also present in inner jacket 200 andouter jacket 600. Pillow case 700 may be slightly larger than outerjacket 600, such that pillow case 700 may encompass and wrap aroundouter jacket 600 and inner jacket 200.

Pillow case 700 may be comprised of a third material. The third materialmay be a fabric with a given elasticity, thickness, and weight that ispliable and expandable, which may be the same material or differentmaterial as the first material and/or second material. The pliabilityand material of pillow case 700 may allow pillow case 700 to fold, bend,crinkle, confirm to an object positioned below outer jacket 600 due togravitational forces and/or a user applying forces to pillow case 700.Furthermore, the outer edges of pillow case 700 may be configured toapply gravitational tension and/or forces to the outer edges of outerjacket 600 and/or inner jacket 200, which may allow sleeping pillow 100to further conform to the object positioned below sleeping pillow 100.

Pillow case 700 may have a third opening 710 that is positioned on asidewall of pillow case 700. The sidewall of pillow case 700 may bepositioned between concave indentation 110 and the upper edge of pillowcase 700. Third opening 710 may be a permanently opened whole that isconfigured to protect the other elements of pillow case 100, whileallowing the other elements of pillow case to be removed from pillowcase 700. Third opening 710 may have a larger length and/or width thanthen that of the first opening 210 and the second opening 610.Furthermore, third opening 710 may be positioned on a sidewall of pillowcase 700, which is offset from the first and second openings, to ensurethat the coupling mechanisms 220, 620 are always covered by pillow case700. This may ensure that the coupling mechanisms 220, 620 do notinteract with a user's face while the user is sleeping. The length ofthe third opening may be longer than that of the first couplingmechanism and/or second coupling mechanism.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for using a sleeping pillow system. Theoperations of method 800 presented below are intended to beillustrative. In some embodiments, method 800 may be accomplished withone or more additional operations not described, and/or without one ormore of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which theoperations of method 800 are illustrated in FIG. 8 and described belowis not intended to be limiting.

At operation 810, a user may open the first opening within an innerjacket and insert a desired amount of fill into the inner jacket.Subsequently the user may close the first opening via a first couplingmember.

At operation 820, the user may insert the inner jacket into an outerjacket via a second opening positioned on an upper edge of the outerjacket. Subsequently, the user may close the second opening via a secondcoupling member.

At operation 830, the outer jacket (and the inner jacket) may beinserted into a pillow case via an opening with a sidewall of thepillowcase. In embodiments, the sidewall may be positioned between anupper edge and a lower edge of the pillow, wherein the lower edge of thepillowcase includes the concave indentation.

At operation 840, the user may align the ridge of their nose, orlocation on another object, with an apex of the concave indentation onthe lower edge of the sleeping pillow system. This may cause the pillowto be positioned over the eyes of the user, which may be utilized toblock light or other environmental sights.

At operation 850, the user may adjust the pillow as desired, which maychange the shape and/or size of the concave indentation by applyingforces to the pillow system.

At operation 860, gravitational forces may automatically be applied tothe sleeping pillow system, which may pull the sleeping pillow aroundthe user's face, or the object. This may cause the pillow to contouraround the user's face or object based on the gravitational tension. Bycontouring around the user's face and/or the object, the pillow maycover the user's ears, which may muffle environmental sounds.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”,“in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features,structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablecombinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments orexamples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures providedherewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled inthe art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeping pillow configured to be positionedover a face of a user comprising: an inner jacket that is configured tohouse fill, the inner jacket and the fill being pliable due to thegravitational forces; an outer jacket that is configured to wrap aroundthe inner jacket, the inner jacket is smaller in size than the outerjacket, wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised ofpliable material; a concave indentation positioned on a lower edge ofthe inner jacket and the outer jacket, the concave indention havingfirst width, the first width being longer in length than a height of theconcave indention; a first arm positioned on a first side of the concaveindention; a second arm positioned on a second side of the concaveindention, the first arm and the second arm being symmetrical in shape;a first zipper positioned on a first upper edge of the inner jacket, thezipper only extending across part of the first upper edge, the firstupper edge being positioned on an opposite side of the sleeping pillowas the concave indentation, wherein the first zipper is covered by theouter jacket; a second zipper positioned on a second upper edge of theouter jacket, the second zipper configured to be aligned with the firstzipper and longer in length that the first zipper; a pillow caseconfigured to be positioned adjacent to the outer jacket, the pillowcase also being configured to cover the outer jacket, the pillow caseincludes a second opening positioned on a sidewall of the pillow,wherein the sidewall is positioned between the lower edge and the firstupper edge, the sidewall being shorter in length than the lower edge andthe first upper edge.
 2. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein a shapeof the concave indention can change based on forces applied to thesleeping pillow.
 3. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the fill isfaux down material.
 4. The sleeping pillow of claim 3, wherein the fillis comprised of non-continuous material, wherein an amount and volume offill within the inner jacket is adjustable.
 5. The sleeping pillow ofclaim 1, wherein sides of the sleeping pillow are configured to extendpast ears of a user.
 6. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein theinner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised of elastic material. 7.The sleeping pillow of claim 9, wherein the inner jacket and the outerjacket are comprised of pliable material that is configured to changeshape based on gravitational forces.
 8. The sleeping pillow of claim 10,wherein the gravitational forces alone is configured to counter asurface of the outer jacket around a face of a user without anadditional external forces being applied to the outer jacket.
 9. Thesleeping pillow of claim 11, wherein edges of the outer jacket areconfigured to apply gravitational forces to edges of the inner jacket tochange a shape of the sleeping pillow.
 10. The sleeping pillow of claim1, wherein the sleeping pillow has a second width, wherein in a firstmode the first width is greater than half the second length.
 11. Thesleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein a shape of the concave indentationis configured to change shape based on gravitational forces.
 12. Thesleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the concave indentation includescontinuously curved outer boundaries.
 13. The sleeping pillow of claim1, wherein the sleeping pillow is configured to be positioned over aface of a user, and the concave indentation is configured to bepositioned above a nose of the user.
 14. The sleeping pillow of claim 1,wherein an upper surface and a lower surface of the outer jacket aresubstantially planar.
 15. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein theinner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised of different materials.16. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein when an object is positionedbelow the sleeping pillow, gravitational tension is configured to pullthe outer edges of the sleeping pillow around the object.